A senior military commander in the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) on Friday said preparations are being made to launch offensive operations on the rebels' position in South Kordofan state within a few days.

JPEG - 15.4 kb
Sudanese army soldiers and RSF militiamen ride on a tank outside the military headquarters in Kadugli, South Kordofan after recapturing the Daldako area on 20 May 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Nureldine Abdallah)
The commander of the 14th infantry division in capital of South Kordofan, Kadugli, Major-General Abdel-Hadi Abdallah told Ashorooq TV on Friday that the army extended control over all areas which fall under its responsibility in the state.

Our troops are ready to carry out "strong and fierce attack against those who reject peace" he underscored.

Last week, the official news agency SUNA quoted the same general as saying during the graduation ceremony of 500 soldiers that the second phase of the decisive military summer campaign will be launched within a few days.

Osman, who visited the battle fronts, said the troops enjoy high morale in all areas which fall under SAF responsibility in South Kordofan state including Rashad, Tugmola and Morring.

"The army personnel in the front lines are enjoying high morale. We found them steadyfirm and ready to end the rebellion in the state within the coming few days," he added.

He said the visit was intended to assess the conditions of the combatants, saying SAF is committed to its constitutional and national responsibility to secure the area and protect residents against rebels attacks.

Last week, the SPLM-N secretary-general Yasir Arman accused Khartoum of conducting preparations for offensive operations in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states against their positions, adding they received reports saying that SAF troops are in a high state of readiness there.
Arman further told Sudan Tribune that government militias are currently heading towards the Blue Nile state and that 10.000 militiamen were called up in South Kordofan state.

South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile state has been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and SAF since 2011.

CONFLICT IN BLUE NILE

The interview of the Sudanese general coincided with a statement released by a local group, called Blue Nile Centre for Human Rights and Peace (BNCHRP), warning that SAF is massing troops in the Blue Nile state.

"The center monitored movements and intensive preparations from the Sudanese government to launch a new wave of violence against civilians in new attempts to invade the areas controlled by the SPLM-N," said the pro rebel humanitarian group.

The BNCHRP further said SAF massed troops in Dandro, about 65 kilometers from the state capital Damazin, and now heading towards Kurmuk. It further said another forces moved to Kurmuk from Bot area near the South Sudanese border.

The group also expressed concerns about the security of "130,000 refugees from the Blue Nile" in the Upper Nile state which have witnessed the resumption of hostilities between the South Sudanese government and rebels there.

Last September, the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP), Thabo Mbeki, said the Sudanese government delegations will hold parallel meetings with the SPLM-N on 12 October and another one with Darfur rebel groups on 15 October to discuss a cessation of hostilities agreement.

But the government chief negotiator, Ibrahim Ghandour announced that Mbeki agreed to postpone talks with the SPLM-N on the Two Areas until after 25 October.